Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Time is of the essence and senators can vote as early as today on whether to add an amendment to Defense Authorization Bill that would also pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act (S. 909). The house has previously passed the bill in April and President Obama promises to sign the bill into law should it reach his desk.

This bill expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include hate crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. It also provides the federal government jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes in states where current law or local law enforcement action are inadequate.

Click here to find contact info for your two state senators and urge them to vote in the affirmative or call (202) 224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your senators.

Anonymous who keeps posting, your comments will continually be removed as they have no relation to the subject matter. Many here are gay Christians and your interpretation is fine, but don't troll a gay affirming blog with that blasphemy.

Ah yes - it is about time. I'll urge all of my followers on Twitter to call their senators - This is historic and moves us that much closer to equality. Now if only everyone would listen to and see the clear-cut argument Rob Thomas made about Gay Marriage on the Huffington blog - we'd be set up for success.

I don't believe "hate crimes" legislation should exist, nor do I believe such legislation moves anyone "closer to equality". Any group that is not covered under the legislation does not receive equal protection.